Shah Rukh Khan’s home production, Ra.One has started setting new records before its release. The deal is big in the Indian entertainment industry, Star India has taken up the satellite rights of the movie for Rs 40 crore.
Ra.One has gone past the milestone set by another Khan. Multi-Screen Media (MSM), which runs Sony Entertainment and SET Max, had paid Rs 36 crore for the satellite rights of the Aamir Khan-starrer, 3 Idiots.
Ra.One is said to be one of the most ambitious Bollywood projects, it is featuring famous Hollywood technicians and visual effect artistes.
Movie’s music has been composed by Academy award winner Hans Zimmer.
According to Shah Rukh Khan, the idea is to take Bollywood to a new level with “daredevil action sequences and world-class special effects”. Khan is playing the role of a superhero in the film.
This movie also stars Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal. It is a part of Shah Rukh Khan’s production banner, Red Chillies Entertainment.
A spokesperson of Eros International Media confirmed the satellite rights had been sold but did not comment on the price and the television channel.
Industry sources says, the deal with Eros not only includes outright distribution and marketing but also part-funding the movie. Eros is expected to shell out around Rs 170 crore for the movie.
Television industry officials say movies with established stars are a good acquisition.
According to data with TAM, which tracks TV viewership, 3 Idiots had a television rating of 10.1 in the six metros during its first screening on July 25 on Sony Entertainment Television. As many as 16.8 million people watched Sony during the premiere.
From the production house’s point of view, pre-selling various rights like satellite and home video helps de-risk the effort by reducing the dependence on revenues from theatres. For instance, last year, UTV had sold Guzaarish and Tees Maar Khan to Colors. Dabangg was also pre-sold to Colors by Shree Asthavinayak Cinevision.
Analysts say such deals also help production houses tie up with broadcasters and plan their marketing, promotion and advertising strategy months ahead of the release. Industry sources say satellite and other rights of films slated for release in 2012-2013 are already under negotiation.
